SothereIwasright

It depends on what program you are working for as they are all different. Some that I have worked for require some basic house keeping type of duties to be completed when not on a transport. At times you may be required to do some peer review or on the job training. If you work for a very busy service you might not see your base/quarters/department for your entire shift. I work for a flight and ground transport program. Often, once the daily duties are complete you literally sit and wait for a call to come in. However, there are programs that have their staff work in the ED until a transport request comes in. So there is no "one size fits all" answer to your question. I hope this helps. Mike

Hopefully I can shed some light on "station life" for you. I have been a flight paramedic for four years now. I have worked both 12 and 24 hr shifts and your station life and duties are very much dependent on how busy your service is. Life at a program that does 1-2 flights in 24 hrs (on average) will be much different from a program that does 4 flights in 12 hours. Typically as flight crew the only time you are permitted to leave the base is if you are going on a call. Leaving the base while on duty is usually not something that is permitted as most programs have time windows/goals that they would like the aircraft to be off the ground by. Typically, in 10 minutes or less. So most people will bring their meals to work. However, depending on the set up of the base and rules of the program, you could cook your meals at the base as some have full kitchens. However, it is a risk one takes as you never know when the tones will drop and you have to go on a call. Ordering pizza or other delivery can be a bit of a risk one takes. I have had a few pizzas not make it to the base because shortly after ordering we were toned out for a flight. As far as the wear of the flight suit, you are in uniform anytime you are out of your sleeping quarters. Some programs will allow you to be out of your flight suit after regular business hours. Generally speaking, if you are at work you will be in uniform. You can change and/or shower mid-shift, but I have never had a partner do so. That is unless we had a nasty call that required changing out of a soiled uniform. Your typical day will consist of checking the aircraft, drugs, and all of your equipment per your local SOPs. Then you will brief with the pilot and discuss any safety issues, concerns, or topics relevant to flight operations that day. After that you may have program specific duties to complete. This could include but not limited to: chart review, computer based training, public relation events, equipment and protocol competencies, etc...It depends on the program. On 24 hr shifts you generally are encouraged to take advantage of down time and rest as you never know when the next flight request will come. Most of the time between calls is pretty much your own. I have worked out, napped, cooked, read, done homework, and posted on message boards while waiting for our next call. I hope you found this info helpful. The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone just starting out in HEMS is to always keep an open mind, a positive attitude, a hunger to learn, and to work as a team. Mike